Trout Season Begins at State Trout Parks

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from an article on trout fishing in Missouri. Please click here to read the full article on VisitMO.com.

There are some things you truly have to see to believe. The opening day of trout season at Missouri’s trout parks is among them.

“It is an event,” says Scott Pauley, a professional fisherman and the Missouri Division of Tourism’s outdoors expert. “I’ve met people who have been at every opening Trout Day for the past 50 years and families who pass down the tradition of fishing on opening (day) for generations.”

While today (March 1) marks the beginning of trout season in Missouri State Parks, the annual migration of anglers to both publicly owned and privately held trout parks, conservation areas, and lakes around the Show-Me State is in full swing. Now is a great time to take the fishing getaway of which you’ve dreamed.

The Missouri Division of Tourism’s website, VisitMO.com, can help you plan that getaway by offering information about outdoor fun, lodging, dining and recreational options to enjoy while you’re in the Show-Me State.

While the state’s trout parks are teeming with anglers on opening day, many hot spots for trout fishing are wide open.

You can fish for trout year-round on Lake Taneycomo.

Among those hot spots is Lake Taneycomo, one of Missouri’s top trout-fishing destinations. The lake is stocked with nearly 750,000 rainbows and browns annually; the water temperature averages 58 degrees year-round.

Brett Rader, who operates Chartered Waters Trout Shop and Guide Service in Hollister, says March 1 doesn’t necessarily bring an influx of anglers to Lake Taneycomo, since the season there is year-round. So, those looking for a more peaceful retreat may choose that waterway for their opening-day outing.

“It’s like any other day here,” Rader says of Lake Taneycomo. “The fishing is always good here, the water is always cold. The bite is good any time of year.”

Although he’s partial to trout fishing on Taneycomo and nearby Crane Creek, Rader has been to Trout Day at state parks and he understands why it’s a significant happening.

“I’ve got customers who are hard-core fly fisherman,” Rader says, “and they’ll still have annual opening-day get-togethers with their buddies. It’s as much about getting together and having fun as it is fishing.”